hid grow llight buying guide
TRANSCRIPT
HID Buying Guide
Key Decisions MH or HPS Wattage Single or double-ended Reflector style
MH or HPS Bulbs?
HINTUse both!
Best Results: MH + HPS
Use both bulbs throughout the grow
Use HPS as the main overhead lighting
Supplement with MH lightOr vice versa
Popular combination Modern ballasts can run
both bulbs MH for cloning and vegging HPS for flowering
Great results: MH for Veg, HPS for flower
HPS bulbs are not great during veg, but are excellent for flowering.
Your plants will be leggy and weaker, but you will still get good yields
Decent results: HPS only
MH bulbs are great during vegging, but they produce lower yields during flowering.
Your plants will grow strong, but yields will suffer
Worst results: MH for Veg, HPS for flower
Wattage
Anything outside this range is too inefficient for most uses.
1000 watt bulbs run very hot. We recommend 400 or 600 watts for most growers.
Wattage: between 250w and 1000w
Wattage Table
Wattage Number of Plants
Distance from Canopy
250 watts 3 - 5 6” – 8”
400 watts 6 - 9 9” – 12”
600 watts 9 - 12 12” – 18”
1000 watts 12 - 16+ 18” – 26”
Single or Double Ended
Double-ended bulbs are:25-30% more efficient (higher
PAR for same power consumption)
last longer (retain 90% of output after 10,000 hours of use)
Double Ended Bulbs
The drawback?Bulbs cost 50% more,
reflectors twice as muchProduce more heatLimited reflector selection
Double Ended Bulbs
Single ended for most growersOnly go with double ended
bulbs if you have the budget (including the additional cooling costs)
Our recommendation
Reflector Styles
Most reflectors will do the job and the differences between them are not that large.
Each style specializes in a certain situation.
The key is finding the reflector best suited for your grow space.
Air cooled for small enclosed spaces onlyGlass reduces output and UV
lightHeat from ducting will radiate
into the grow area
Air Cooled or Not?
Single Ended Reflectors
Good for supplemental lighting
CheapEasy to install
But…Light goes to waste unless
hanging between plants
Mogul Socket
Good for budget growers with well-ventilated space
CheapGood coverageIntense light with deep
penetrationBut…
All the heat escapes into grow space
Reflector only on sides, not ends
Wing Reflector
Good for lighting large areas with small number of lights
Very large coverageEven light distribution
But…Very low intensity and
penetrationAll the heat escapes into
room
Umbrella Reflector
Good for budget growers with a small enclosed space
SmallCheapest air-cooled
reflectorBut…
Large loss of lightSmall coverage area
Air Cooled Tube Reflector
Good for small enclosed spaces
Large coverageIntense light with deep
penetrationBut…
Most expensive reflector
Air Cooled Hood Reflector
Recommended for Most Home Growers!
Good for lighting large areas with small number of lights
Very large coverage areaBut…
Low intensity and penetration
A bit expensive
Air Cooled Tube Hood Reflector
Double Ended Reflectors
Good for budget growers with well-ventilated space
Cheapest double ended reflector
Good coverageGood intensity and
penetrationBut…
All the heat escapes into grow space
Reflector only on sides, not ends
DE Wing Reflector
Good for lighting large areas with small number of lights
Very large coverage areaBut…
Low intensity and penetration
A bit expensiveAll the heat escapes into
grow space
DE XXL Hood Reflector
Good for lighting small enclosed spaces
Large coverage areaIntense light with deep
penetrationBut…
Most expensive reflector
DE Air Cooled Hood Reflector
To buy HID grow lights at great prices or to get more information:
https://growlightcentral.com